Art Showcase and Reception at Ascend Day Spa

The Paintings of Alfredo Melendez

on view 10/02/10- 02/03/11

The Ascend Day Spa, located at 82-62 Austin Street, in Kew Gardens, Queens, exhibits artwork from local artists in an effort to give back to the community.  The Ascend Day Spa is an all natural green spa, focusing on mind and body wellness through relaxation and rejuvenation. Continuing the exhibition series, Ascend is offering its space for a selection of paintings by artist, Alfredo Melendez. The opening reception will be on Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 at 8:00 pm. Wine and Refreshments will be served. The exhibition will be on view through February 3rd, 2011 during business hours.

Alfredo Melendez is a representational artist who works in a variety of media. In conjunction with his love for partner dancing, his work has focused on the intimacy of the connection between two people on the dance floor, their flow and movement, as well the more comical moments that can occur dancing.  The central draw is always the woman, who in her voluptuousness and attitude, commands attention and desire.

Alfredo is a graduate of the school of visual arts.  He is currently a partner dance instructor, blog writer, consultant, and entrepreneur.  You can find out more about dance lessons and his online store at www.alfredomelendez.com. 

For more information: (718) 846-4601

Photography Show

Dear Kew Gardens Parents,

What's doing in Kew Gardens for children? KEW GARDENS FIRST CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW! Photos taken by children, grades K-6, will be professionally displayed in Q Gardens Gallery from January 14- February 5, Gala Opening Reception on January 14 & 15.

Yes, your children will be the photographers and their images will be enlarged and matted for display. This is an unusual and exciting project for your child. It's an opportunity for them to look at their community, to capture those special moments photographically and to possibly discover talents that they didn't know they had.

Photographs hold an honored place in our homes, family albums and help to comprise our history. Q Gardens Gallery exhibits vintage photography and has offered their gallery space for this children’s photographic exhibit. There will be an opening and the exhibit will be on view in the gallery for 3 weeks.

Interested? To participate, print out the attached guidelines/application or pick up an application as-soon-as-possible at the Q Gardens Gallery, 8061 Lefferts Boulevard, Kew Gardens, (347) 494-5704, open Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6:00pm. All photos (with an application) must be submitted by
Thursday, December 30, 2010. Questions? Carol (917) 881-3358.
It's going to be a GREAT show! Don't Miss Out!!

This photography project is made possible in part by a New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods Grant awarded by the Citizens Committee for New York City to the Kew Gardens Improvement Association, Inc.

Upcoming Community Events hosted by Maple Grove!!!

Celebration Dec 4th!

Christmas Concert Series Dec 17 & 18th!

Watch Out!

Queens is car-theft king

Borough leads city in stolen vehicles

By LORENA MONGELLI

Last Updated: 5:18 AM, November 16, 2010

Posted: 1:39 AM, November 15, 2010

Comments: 18 

More Print

If you're heading into Queens, maybe it's better to leave the car behind.

An average of eight cars a day get snatched off the streets of the borough's leafy neighborhoods -- making it the auto-theft capital of the Big Apple.

And the number of cars disappearing in the borough has been steadily climbing.

So far this year, 3,037 cars have been stolen, an increase of 9.2 percent since last year, according to NYPD Compstat figures released Nov. 9.

The dismal borough stats represent 34 percent of the total number of vehicles stolen citywide.

City Councilman Peter Vallone of Queens, the council's Public Safety Committee chairman, attributes the upswing to a diminishing police presence in the area.

"Our precincts are staffed at half the level they were 10 years ago," Vallone said. "Cops are doing the best they can, but there just aren't enough troops."

The borough's accessibility to major highways and bridges also makes it a top pick for thieves, Vallone said.

When hunting for vehicles, goons are most likely to target Honda Civics and Accords, the top two cars stolen in the city, records show.

The next three vehicle makes most likely to be stolen are the Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry and Ford Econoline van, according to the NYPD.

When crooks don't take an entire car, they'll take its wheels and rims, authorities said. Lately, there have been reports of several car-stripping incidents in Astoria and Bayside.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/queens/qns_is_car_theft_king_cYoF7fIRqrEZxGtAVLRnjI#ixzz15YRf71xF

Hello Friends of the REZ Reading Series, We are having a free film screening of the documentary, PLUNDER, on November 23. In honor of Mama Doe, buried at Maple Grove Cemetery, we are also having a food drive for a local food pantry. (Please come to The Center at Maple Grove Cemetery, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road.) In lieu of a donation for the series, we ask that you bring rice, pasta and fresh produce. (Popcorn and drinks will be provided, thanks to TD Bank.) We will start the film at 7:30 and take a short intermission. We should be out of The Center by our normal time of 9:30. And for those who want to reserve future times for the series on their calendars, here are some important dates to keep in mind-- February 8--Our Young Peoples' Writing Adventure March 22--Psych Night-- a talk and reading by two leaders in the mental health field, Dr. Daniel Carlat and Charles Barber. Both of their books will be available at a discount at that time. April 26--Marathon Poetry Night with special guest Paolo Javier May 24--Annual Night to honor LGBTQA youth I hope to see you at all of these if you can make them and if not, whichever ones you can. Your support has always been most welcome. Sincerely, Deborah Emin, Program Director REZ Reading Series

Shuttered Forest Park Carousel gets turn for better after landing film role in 'The Sitter'

BY LISA L. COLANGELO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, November 3rd 2010, 4:00 AM

Farriella for News

William Adee of Local 52 cleans a Forest Park Carousel horse as film crews get set to shoot 'The Sitter' at shuttered treasure.

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Fans of the Forest Park Carousel were thrilled to see a glimpse of the shuttered treasure during a flurry of activity at the site this week.

But they shouldn't get their hopes up.

The workers cleaning and fixing the 100-year-old carousel were part of a film crew shooting scenes for "The Sitter."

The movie, starring Jonah Hill of "Superbad" fame and Sam Rockwell, has been described as a loose remake of the 1987 comedy "Adventures in Babysitting."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/queens/2010/11/03/2010-11-03_turn_for_the_better_shut_carousel_lands_film_role.html#ixzz14DuC3AAk

Nov 23rd Local Food Drive and REZ READING!

THE REZ
READING
SERIES


Local Food Drive
Honoring Mama Doe

7:30-9:30pm at the Center at Maple Grove Cemetery
127-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens, NY 11415
(at the intersection of Kew Gardens Road and 127th St)


Tuesday, November 23rd!

In conjunction with our monthly reading, The REZ Reading Series, as it honors Mama Doe, buried at Maple Grove Cemetery, will be hosting a food drive to benefit one of our local food pantries. The evening will feature speakers on homelessness and poverty, and talk about ways to help combat these issues locally.

The pantry is in dire need of the following staple items, so please bring them to the reading:

Rice
Pasta
Fresh Produce


Q&A will be held after readings; autographed books will be offered for sale. Refreshments available. $5.00 donation encouraged.


For further information please telephone (718) 575-5417 or email us at
deminlit@yahoo.com.